Surrogate and Wife by Emily McKay Page A

justis, okay?” She stomped on the foot lever that popped the top to the can and dumped her trash inside.
    As the lid clanged closed, she realized how snappish she sounded. What a way to apologize.
    She turned back to face him and leaned against the counter behind her. “I only meant that if you do have any lingering resentment, it’d be best to admit it. Parents are imperfect, too. It’s okay to be angry with them.”
    He leveled his gaze at her. “Kate, it’s also okay to forgive them.”
    Ah, so they weren’t talking about just his mother anymore.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, even though she suspected she knew exactly what he meant. His appraisal was too intense for her to miss his implication.
    â€œYou’ve never even tried to make peace with your mother, have you?”
    â€œMake peace with her? No. Sorry. I can’t make peace with what she did.”
    â€œStill—”
    â€œThe state took us away when Beth was ten and I was eight. Mom didn’t even protest. Never tried to get us back.” A sarcastic laugh struggled past her lips. “Maybe you think I should be grateful. Maybe letting us go was the best thing she ever did for us.”
    Jake just eyed her with what she was sure was pity. “All these years later and you’re still letting the way she treated you affect your life.”
    â€œAnd I suppose now you’re going to point out that Beth has handled this whole thing so much better than I have. That she—miraculously—has overcome all the hardships of our childhood, made peace with our mother’s actions and learned to trust again.”
    â€œNo,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t going to say any of that. This isn’t about Beth. It’s about you.”
    Suddenly her exhaustion caught up with her and she slumped against the counter. God, she hated it when she felt like this. Angry and bitter. Not just at her mother, but at everyone involved in her upbringing. All the overworked caseworkers who didn’t have the time to do their jobs properly. All the foster parents who’d judged and found her lacking.
    Sometimes—she was most ashamed to admit—she was even angry with Beth, who’d seemed to have such an easier time being shuttled from foster house to foster house. Who’d instantly been everyone’s favorite and who seemed never to feel unwanted.
    She forced herself to hold his gaze. “I guess you’re right. It’s not about Beth. But…”
    â€œBut…” he prodded.
    â€œBut sometimes I wish I was more like her. She coped with things differently than I did. Plus, our experiences have been different. She and Stew met and fell in love so young. For most of her life, she’s had him to depend on. To trust. I’ve never had that.” Uncomfortable with the personal turn of the conversation, she looked away.
    God, she didn’t want him to think she was fishing for something from him, so she forced an upbeat tone into her voice. “I’ve always been very self-reliant. That’s the way I like it. I’m the one person I know I can always trust.”
    The smile she gave him felt tight. His gaze seemed to pierce right through her forced cheer, and she had to turn away from him to hide.
    Rinsing her breakfast dishes proved the perfect diversion. But when she was done, she turned to find Jake standing right behind her.
    Before she could protest, he pulled her gently to hischest. Stroking her hair, he murmured. “There’s nothing wrong with the way you’ve coped with things. You’re strong and brave. And that’s admirable. But you’re not alone anymore. I’m here to help. You can trust me.”
    His arms felt so good around her. So strong and capable. His chest was solid beneath her cheek. His shoulders broad. Her eyes drifted closed, and she allowed herself to lean against him. He seemed so